From backyard painting to public installations, Jared Garrick (Business Administration – Marketing 2013) has never shied away from bold ideas, even launching his art business ROVÜ in the middle of a pandemic. Now, he’s making his mark across southern Alberta and beyond, using art to tell powerful stories, transform spaces and inspire others to chase their passions.
Garrick has always been an artist, but he says it wasn’t until he discovered graffiti and street art that he began to recognize his talents and lean into his creativity. He recalls starting small – painting in his backyard, working on pieces of wallboard and whatever else he could get his hands on. Over time his work evolved, and he began integrating small hand tools and creating sculptures.
He says he started many small businesses and worked fulltime while pursuing art in the background. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Garrick chose to dive in and launch his art full-time with ROVÜ.
“It was a risky time to start an art business in southern Alberta, but I felt like that’s what the world needed,” says Garrick. “[I thought] let’s make the world beautiful and see where it takes me.” He says support from his wife Taylor – his “rock” over the years – and co-worker Morris Nguyen, has been pivotal to his success.
ROVÜ offers unique experiences, delivering high-end work through architectural features, creative products and place making. The business has been well received, and Garrick says, “the glue is art,” as it connects him to his clients and allows him to tell their stories in new ways. Learning to not fear failure is also an important step for Garrick. “I’ve always been very mindful of that and really pushed that throughout my career, doing things that make me uncomfortable,” he says. “Because that’s when growth happens, and then you change and evolve as a person and as an artist.”
Pivoting and adjusting the creative process is part of every project Garrick works on. Whether it’s creating a mosaic brand story for Kasko Cattle Co. Ltd., a family-owned cattle feeding and farming business, or designing apparel with his friend Nick Kern for YDB, a member of American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, during their Las Vegas residency, each project involves being mindful of the client’s goals and the outcome they hope to achieve.
Among Garrick’s most recent projects was creating a sign for Lethbridge Polytechnic. As a grad, Garrick says he was excited to work on the project and took into consideration the design of the new logo and elements that make campus unique.
“With the design, we really wanted to pay homage to the environment and the placement of the polytechnic,” he says.
Using parametric design, a technique that uses computer software to create complex shapes and seamless curves, the sculpture creates a sense of place, representing the beauty of the coulees surrounding campus. Nestled within the landscape and emerging anew sits the Lethbridge Polytechnic logo.
While working through the project, Garrick reflected on his own time as a student, noting the hard work spent writing papers and listening to marketing lectures paid off and set the foundation for developing the skills he would need to grow his business.
It also required a little willingness to follow his dreams and take a risk on himself.
Garrick suggests more people should pursue what makes them happy. He hopes his journey can serve as inspiration – proof that following your dreams is possible if you have a little faith and are ready for whatever happens next.
